Saturday, July 31, 2010

As I write this (Friday evening), Yahoo has yet to post the big news that the Rays beat the Yankees to move to within 1 game of the lead in the AL East. Instead the lead story is that the Yanks acquired Lance Berkman from the 'stros. Unfortunately all the money in NY can't buy a time machine to bring in the 2006 Lance Berkman (163 OPS+), the 2004 version (159 OPS+), or even the 2009 version (139 OPS+). They'll be getting the 2010 version which, while above average (117 OPS+), isn't the hitter you imagine when you say the words "Lance Berkman." So, while I'm sure he'll have some big moments with the new club, it's not AS big a deal as people would have us believe.

No friends, the story of the night was Wade "I'm pitching for my life" Davis. Everyone was in LOVE with Wade after a solid end to the year last year but have been calling for his head during a so-so year with a contending club. The numbers, however, tell a different story. How different? Going into tonight Davis had an ERA+ of 99. That's just below league average, and I'd say decent for a number 5 starter in his first year in the bigs. By comparison, media darling Phil Hughes, the All-Star he out-pitched tonight, had an ERA+ of 100, or exactly LEAGUE AVERAGE. Think media coverage doesn't matter? Hughes has been negligibly better than Davis yet made the AS team. Davis, on the other hand, has had folks saying we need to send him down to AAA. RIDICULOUS.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Everyone is (quite rightly) pissed and blogging about the Beckett shenanigans admission, so I thought I'd post about something that went RIGHT recently.

We all know ebay is full of nuttiness, and I've posted about it myself from time to time. However, sometimes when you see an auction up you gotta jump in. When I saw an auction for 346 DIFFERENT CCs with 123 numbered cards, including 11 jersey cards and 2 bat cards, I went for it.

There were red flags, notably the cards were listed as a single, massive lot, with nothing listed save a photo of a 1999 Bowman RC and a Ginter bat card. 123 numbered cards---is that a typo? Moreover, I already owned over 350 different CC cards, so the odds of picking up a lot that had significant overlap were pretty good.

Well, I added over 150 CCs to the pc for less than 20 cents a card. If I were to have purchased these cards over the next few years I would have gladly paid more for many of them. Two examples are these CC A-Ball Minor League cards, one of which was in my COMC cart (at $2.50!) when I pulled it from this lot.

Very cool card. CC running the bases before he was the base stealing machine he is today.

CC (looking 12) with a cat hair left in the scanner for good measure. What I really like about these unlicensed cards, though, are the backs:

They are king of goofy, with no stats, the usual "CC almost went to Nebraska" story, ads for local companies, and that's about it. Reminds you of how transitory A-ball is for some guys. The high draft picks usually aren't around there for long, so the ink is barely dry on these cards before they've moved on.

That said, if you are looking for any CC in particular I now have a TON of doubles. Drop me a line and I'll look through them.

(6)Any team newer than 1980 including the Nationals are in Tier 3 $13.75

(8)Any team newer than 1961 shall be in Tier 2 $16.75

(16) Any team older than 1961 shall be in Tier 1 $20.50

Here's a list of who has teams and has paid as of right now. If you are already in double-check this to make sure it is right! To claim a team leave a comment (I'll turn of moderation) and email me. Send PP to crawfordcards (at) gmail.com.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

So if you caught the Cards/Mets tilt last night on the WWL you were treated to one of the all-time weirdest, most surreal moments in broadcast history. I'll admit that the internet hasn't exactly ushered in the info.-utopia we were all hoping for, but Sutcliffe last night said repeatedly and without irony that Mark McGwire had come clean and apologized for his steroid use.

But has he ever admitted that his freakish production over his career was in any way aided by his using? Um, no.

So Mac, like a current Yankees lefty, maintains he took 'roids for health purposes and his on-field performance has in no way enhanced by what are commonly called "performance enhancing drugs." This is the kind if "admission" most parents wouldn't accept from there small children, much less other adults, and it absolutely steams me that Sutcliffe went on and on about "the great Mac" without ever mentioning that Mac admitted his use WITHOUT admitting it helped his numbers. That's naive at best and at worst willfully spreading the bright half of the story in hopes people will forget the dark half. Sorry Sut, no can do.

(6)Any team newer than 1980 including the Nationals are in Tier 3 $13.75

(8)Any team newer than 1961 shall be in Tier 2 $16.75

(16) Any team older than 1961 shall be in Tier 1 $20.50

Here's a list of who has teams and has paid as of right now. If you are already in double-check this to make sure it is right! To claim a team leave a comment (I'll turn of moderation) and email me. Send PP to crawfordcards (at) gmail.com.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The card here comes courtesy of the recent giveaway over at The Sandlot.

I collect Delmon Young's cards. I haven't catalogued what I have and put it on the blog, but I am an fan going back to when I saw him in Charleston and Durham. I cringed with everyone else when he did this and, sadly enough, agreed with the decision to trade him and give him a fresh start elsewhere (as a side note, the ENTIRE D-Bulls coaching staff was replaced after that season). Immense talent, talent that is really coming through this year in a big way to the tune of a 140 OPS+. Like with Upton it's hard to forget Delmon isn't yet 25 because he's been around so long. Last year a lot of Twins fans were calling the trade a bust but this year folks are singing a different tune. Glad to see he's starting to cash in!

True story: the only ball I ever got at a game fell to me one afternoon in Durham when Delmon was in right. It was the day game of a day/night double header to make up for a previous rainout, so next to no one was there. My friend Fer and I were in the OF, drinking beers, watching the game, and waiting for our wives to show up for the second game (and drive us home afterward), when former mega-prospect Gookie Dawkins hit a ground rule double that Delmon barely missed and that, coincidentally, popped into the stands right in front of us. Taking the ball was very weird, almost like doing something sacrilegious. I almost expected someone to come take it from me. Anyway, that was the one and only ball and how it's connected to Delmon. I might have him sign it at the next Twinsfest, which would be pretty cool.

Anyway, have a good one and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I was able to score the vintage lot in the recent Grand Cards trade away. The entire lot was better than advertised, but what drew me in was this card:

I've seen this card of Squirrel Sievers on the 'bay but could never quite pull the trigger. Scoring it in a trade was awesome. I'm a big fan of the Squirrel and this card has an almost comic-book-hero feel to that you normally associate with Babe Ruth. You've got the slugger following through on a mighty swing perfectly framed by the borders of the design. Behind him lurking in the shadowy dugout his teammates spit sunflower seeds and look on. The fans above them lean in as if to see where the ball he hit is going, presumably far out to right.

And yet the composition is a little too perfect. The picture of Sievers has a painted look to it that contrasts sharply with the rest of the card. And the fans, why are they so much more excited than the players in the dugout? They almost seem to be watching different games. And then there's the looming office building just above the grandstand and the sunlight that seems to be pouring in from that direction without illuminating anything.

I'm guessing (maybe incorrectly) that this is an early attempt to compose a single card out of various elements, to create drama that otherwise isn't/wasn't there. And I'll admit, the effect is startling for a card from that era. It shows that this sort of thing can go way beyond, say, photoshopping GWB into the stands or Mantle into the dugout.

Thanks again for the trade GC!

Have a good one everybody and have a goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

They are the exact same CC jersey from the UD Divisional Artifacts series with one notable exception: the top card is numbered /199, the one on the bottom has the rough spot where a serial number would go but does not carry a number.

Which then leads to a bothersome question if you place a lot of value on serial numbered cards: if there are print overruns, whether intentional or unintentional, that mean a card numbered to /199 is actually, say, unofficially to /400, how does this change the value of the card, if at all? And if not, why even place a premium on these cards? If a certain company were to do this intentionally it'd be pretty easy. Not with 1/1s to be sure, but with /25 or /50 cards. Heck, Salvador Dalí was infamous for signing running off 1000 prints of a given painting, numbering the series /100, then signing ten 1/100, ten 2/100 and so on. He he could do it, why not card companies?

That said, don't forget to check out the 2010 t206 group break over here. Lots of great teams available.

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Crawford was picked off of first because...the O's pitcher hit him in the **** with the throw. CC was back in plenty of time but, having been incapacitated, fell off the bag in pain. Get well soon, CC. Don't want to imagine that kind of pain.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Unless the Rays went through some sort of "pinstripe" period of which I'm unaware, is this card fake or a UD error? I'm leaning toward error because no one would fake a simple jersey card and the guy only wants a few bucks for it. Either way it's a pretty ridiculous FAIL.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Check the group break here. Some great teams have come open (Cubs, Reds) with more to come.

After me previous ttms from Mr. Williams I had to give it one more go with the 1968. It's his second card but first as the only player featured and sports the classic Topps Rookie All-Star Team trophy, none of this little cup stuff they went to in the 1980's.

"No Neck" had a solid 10-year career playing for the White Sox, Yankees, Indians, and Colt .45's, amassing a 91 OPS+ as an OF and pinch hitter. He's obviously also got one of the classic baseball nicknames and a great signature with a single large "W" serving to cover his first and last names.

This card is pretty sweet. Williams looks like he's 12 despite sporting those massive biceps. The wry smile, however, kind of hints he knows a lot more than he's letting on, that he already knows he's going on to a good career.

I also like the fact that he played in Durham and had no idea about that until I got this one. He also played in Winnipeg, which is only about 3 hours from here. That may be a lot to you, but out here that's practically next door.

And those names bring me to one last point: I miss the days of far-flung baseball outfits scattered across North America. The minors used to be a LOT bigger, and the journey through them a LOT longer. I'm heading out to my first Independent League game today to see former Cubs farmhand Nic Jackson tear it up. Still out there, chasing the dream.

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Friday, July 16, 2010

First, I'll be updating the group break list first thing tomorrow based on who pays/does not pay today. Keep an eye out!

This is another 50 cents score from down Iowa way.

Any card with Reggie and Pops on it it a keeper, but a flipped this over for one of the bigger shocks I've had in a while.

See, if I were to ask you who had more homers in 1973, Reggie the young legend in the making who'd finish with a career 563 HRs, or Stargell the lovable "We Are Family" Pirate with a career 475, who would you choose?

I've always known Stargell was really good and really under appreciated, but I never considered that he could out-homer Reggie. I was pretty surprised to learn that he hit 43 homers in '73, a whopping 11 more than Jackson's 32. 11!!! That's HUGE. Always nice when you can get a great card for cheap AND have your mind blown by a bit of baseball knowledge you never appreciated before. Good stuff.

Have a good one everybody and good night Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Dear Fox, if you don't have anyone in house that actually follows the game at least find someone who cares about doing a good job. Any number of folks in the blogothing could get the job done quite well I imagine. David Wright!? Pitching for the AL?! AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

On my way back from Mexico I stopped in Iowa at Daddy D's house with the compa. D always takes me to the local card shops, one of which has some AMAZING bargain boxes and cheap relics. I've struck out there a few times but I've come away with some nice finds at other. This was one of those times.

I've even considered grabbing this card before, at whatever plus $3 shipping, but always held off. Then it turned up...for 50 cents.

Dave Parker, the winner of one of the World's Baddest Man contests over at Night Owl's place. This card has a TON to like: the gaudy yellow helmet, the batting cages, the former 14th round draft pick with the hint of an afro glancing to his right. Incredible card, sort of like the evil version of Dave Winfield's card from the same year. Definitely a card fit for a dude who should be a HOFer according to most of the Bill James sniff tests. Dude was underrated and an absolute monster. In fact, picking up this card inspired me to grab another one....that'll be coming up shortly.

Monday, July 12, 2010

The back story here is that I went to the PO today to send the last four of the group break packages, two that were overweight (damn you 13 oz rule!) and two going up to Canada. I ate my lunch in 10 minutes and headed out of the office only to arrive in line behind someone trying to mail a BIKE. While the good folks at the PO moved heaven and earth to accommodate this request the time went by and, wouldn't you know it, 40 minutes were gone, I had to get back to work, and the packages were STILL unmailed. I'm going BEFORE work tomorrow, bikes be damned.

Anyway, I wanted to get into some things from the mail that made my day, focusing first on more cards from Wicked Ortega. That way I can get over someone trying to mail a BIKE and forget about the PO trying to HELP them. On to the cards!

This is the 206 mini from 2003. I had the regular but NOT this one, which I'd wanted for a while. Good stuff and it came in the mail, so mail's not all bad. And CC's got this "wtf?!" face that sums up watching someone mailing a bicycle.

This is another great card, a wacky die-cut number. Can't figure out what's going on here, though. I 'm guessing he's making a turn at 3rd. He looks like he's stepping on a base with his left foot, looking back at the action before proceeding, getting ready to turn it up.

This card needs to explanation. Other than the spring training unis this is just pure awesome, from the fans to the ump to the 3rd baseman.

And finally, a UD jersey /99:

In sum, great cards that came in the mail to make me forget about the mail (if that makes sense). Thanks again Wicked! I'm getting it together to get you back.

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

First, drop in over here for info on the August group break. Some really good teams have opened up.

There's been a lot of debate across the blogs as to whether Stephen Strasburg is good for the hobby, bad for the hobby, or terrible for the hobby. Wax has hit ridiculous, unsustainable prices. The stupid have thrown more money on Strasburg's cards than they'd put down on a new BMW. Beckett has been, well, Beckett. We all saw it coming. Those of us who were around for Van Poppel and Prior have seen it before. The proportions are larger, but that's as much due to media-driven psychosis in an age saturated with info as anything else. It's a mass delusion of the highest proportion.

And you know what? I like it.

My reasons are extremely personal, but I'll say it again: I like it. I imagine that I grew up like a lot of you and that, like a lot of you, there were years where baseball was about the only thing that sustained my relationship with my dad. My dad's fandom has never been quite what mine is, and now that I've gotten older I've come to the realization that he's really not much of a fan. He follows the game occasionally, he'll turn on the TV for a while, but he's never been THAT into it. In retrospect it seems like he introduced me to the game when I was younger as a means to give us something to do together, as guys. Now that I live about 10,000 miles away baseball no longer serves that need for him.

Fast forward to the week after I got back from Mexico. Stras-mania was in full effect and, oddly, the University of South Carolina was in the CWS. The phone rang on a Monday, I think, and my dad was on the other line. He wanted to make sure I knew that USC was in the CWS finals and might win it all on ESPN2, as well as tell me that some really hot new guy named Strasburg was pitching on ESPN. It was going to be a good night and I needed to watch.

I can probably count on one hand the number of times my father has called me on the phone. If Strasburg flames out after the AS Game and never pitches again I'll always remember him for having produced such excitement in my old man that he actually picked up the phone to connect with me. There's a lot NOT to like about the hype, but for that phone call I'll always be grateful.

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Ripping announcers/writers is a cottage industry among the blogs, something I've done from time to time myself. I'd sworn off it until last night when watching my new favorite channel, the MLB Network, and one of the post-game analysts said something to the effect of "I'm on the bandwagon, I'm off the bandwagon---I have a hard time staying with the Rays. Are they a legit playoff team? I don't know."

My head exploded. 8 hours later I'm back.

Looking at the standings is analysis most third graders can do for extra credit in math. Even when the Rays were in third place in the AL East their record indicated they would be at or near the top of almost EVERY division in the game. Conclusion: Yes, they are legit, they just play in the most murderous division in the game. At 21-10 they have the best h-h record WITHIN that division. You tell me: Are they legit? Man, how was that dude not kidding? And can I get paid for analysis like that? It's pretty easy and at least one MLB Network dude can't/won't do it, so it may be a need. I'll get my app off ASAP just in case.

Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Here are some cards I'd be looking to move. They are in a variety of conditions but all fun cards. Usual trading rules apply: preference for Carl Crawford, David Price, Jonny Gomes, Jeff Niemann. I'm also looking for '74 commons if you have any of those. Make an offer in the comments and/or drop me an email!

I'd obviously like something sweet for the Bert but beyond that these are all readily available!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Alright folks, if you haven't seen the hits post (now with video!) go here first. I'll start packing everything out tonight looking to get the first wave of cards out on Wednesday, last wave on Friday. Details on next month's break coming soon.

The good
We got an /10 red auto, a silk card, an auto of a Negro League player, almost 3 black border minis per box, and a ton of Ginter back minis. This is very good stuff.

The bad
This comes down to personal preference, so take this with a grain of salt. Of the 5 autos we got 3 non-team affiliated cards. One was a Negro League star, one a weight lifter, and one a bowler. Nothing against weight lifting or bowling but if I had thrown down $110 for a box and had gotten one of those....man. Oh, and NO Strasburgs.

The ugly
Nothing really ugly except for the mini Sailors of the Seven Seas card that was mangled by the pack-crimping machine.

Final Thoughts
Depending on your perspective the glass is half full or overflowing. We got EXACTLY what we paid for in terms of hits, one of those being a red /10 auto and another a silk card, so that's always a relief. But like I said, 2 of the autos were of non-baseball folks. You'll either dig that or hate it. Overall design is what you would expect out of Ginter, which is to say great. The sketch cards are hit and miss, but in the wake of Chicle I think we're all used to that by now.

Have a good one everybody and good night Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

OK folks, first a big thanks to Jim over at DA Card World for helping us out on this one. Even though their price on Ginter did move they honored the price we had worked out. Much appreciated and many thanks!

I've got the videos queuing up on compa's computer, but I don't want to keep anyone waiting. Videos will be up ASAP so without any further ado....

The three (?!?) random autos go to the following people, as determined by the random sheet typed up below.

Kennelley: Pads (Rod)

Kulik: Yanks (Sooz)

Teasley: Cards (Ike)

As you will see on the video these cards were placed in the random box in the order they were pulled, they are random cards 15, 57, and 115, respectively. I'll have my review up tomorrow. Hope to have everything packed up and to start shipping out on Wednesday.

Have a good one everybody and good night Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

PS: If anyone doesn't want your Negro League Stars I'll gladly take them off your hands. I'll be doing the ttm thing with them again this year!